Poetry workshop

The last event I ran as part of the residency took place on 31st March and unusually for me, involved poetry. I worked with Deborah Tyler-Bennett, a well known local poet and creative writing tutor to run a session for Women Who Write, a group from Wolverhampton. The session was an experimental one, combining practical textile work and writing exercises. The idea was to use my work as a maker as the inspiration for creative writing. I talked about my work, where I get ideas from, the process of working, why I love textiles, why I do what I do. The group then tried out some fabric manipulation techniques and there was some further discussion interspersed with writing exercises from Deborah. The session was very informal and relaxed and thoroughly enjoyable for all involved.These are some of the works created during the session and afterwards. I love how the writers each took different things from the discussion and how some are about other people sewing and some about me! It was a strange thing to have poems written about me, but I was very flattered as well.

Black Velvet

‘The last thing I need is another dress’But she does not hear –She pulls me and strips meCovers me in a heavy black velvet dresswith a crimped hem that hovers suspiciously above mykneesI scratch at the waist as she spins me around,to admire her creationShe pulls my hair into a lopsided ponytail,and with pins in her mouth, she lisps‘You look fit for a ball’And this time I say nothing

————————————————————————

Trapunto

To know meTo be meYou must hold meAnd feel meYou want meMy secrecy

Janet Bogle

—————————————————————————-

I’ve got an old jumper I no longer wearIt’s hard to get rid of, because I still care,And charity shops won’t accept it – it’s threadbare.

It’s comforted me through thick and through thinSo I think I’ll hotwash it – in the machineIt’ll still comfort me when its made into a cushion!

I made this for you, my child.See how the fabric flows,Shining, reflecting the light,You will never see.Fine lace, so many yards.Pink ribbons with silver threads.Rainbow memories of happy futures.Your stay with us was brief.I watched you slip away,Weeks and you were gone.A wonderful baptismal gownFor a child who is no more.

A strip of calico, all loops and whorls,the fabric folded back upon itself,just like a bud, a pouted kiss, not neatbut sloppy with its stitches fat and thin.A baby’s kiss, received with love for this:The frown of effort on her face, as shemanipulates the coarse and fraying cloth,her fingers smeared with jam and glue. And blood(the needle small, too sharp; not small enough).The messy browns, like poster paint, remain,To show where little fingers worked, a kisswithout a thimble; tiny thing that willnot last. The truest work of art I’ve made.

It’s lovely dear. Thank you so much. That said,I’m sorry but it won’t stick on the fridge.Donna Scott

At the galleryher new pieceis exhibitednext to a red dot.Sold!For two hundred poundsto a man who values the aestheticsbut fails to understandwhy she’s called it,‘Novice Championship – Preliminary Round’

Emma Purshouse

————————————————————————

The Seamstress

Cutting,Pinning,Tacking,StitchingRuffling,PleatingTurning,Pressing,Folding,Thinking,Imagining,Creating,Fashionable clothing?A work of art?

Anne Harding

—————————————————————————

The Remnant Box

Soft shiny silk from a mandarin’s collar,A yellow cotton bow from a summer dress,The torn cuff from a blue and white striped shirt,A piece of faded flowery curtain,A pocket from denim jeans,A cream lacy collarfaded like the page of an ancient tome, The top half of a washed out pink tee-shirtwith WOMEN NEED MEN LIKE in black,Can a thing of beauty be created from these?